Well hello again and welcome back to the Clash Blog. If you’re a regular reader you’ll already know it hasn’t been a typical 48 hours at Clash Blog Towers, not that I spent too much time here over the last couple of days. Of course the reason being was that Mick Jones and Paul Simonon were going to be in town as part of the Gorillaz lineup last night (Tuesday). I’ve got so much to write to try and compile all of my thoughts that I’m sure I’ll need to break this down into a few separate posts so I don’t miss anything.

First of all though I took a minute to reflect this afternoon about what a difference a year can make, and how the most unlikely things can still happen. Last autumn when I was writing the blog it seemed unlikely that any two members of The Clash would be regularly playing together on a worldwide tour at any point in the future. This was long before Damon Albarn had called upon his relationship with Paul and involved both he and Mick Jones in the recording of Plastic Beach at the beginning of the year. At the time I thought that was pretty great and would be just a unique experience that lasted a day with them sharing time together in the studio. Not long after it was announced that Gorillaz were actually going to play some live gigs as a proper band and feature Mick and Paul, even then I assumed I wouldn’t get the chance to see them live. By early spring it was announced that Gorillaz were going to play at the Coachella Festival in Southern California, I’m not quite sure what (money, work, being responsible?) stopped me from getting tickets but I failed to do so. In early summer a world tour was announced including the States so I assumed I’d be driving to Los Angeles or San Diego to see the band, but to my surprise Phoenix made the list of cities so of course tickets were hurriedly secured for last night.

Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and my friend Keith Jackson last night

Since then I’ve spent too much time looking forward to the concert and you probably remember me actively campaigning for ideas or contacts as to how I might go about meeting Paul and Mick. Good ideas were forthcoming (thank you) but nothing concrete came to pass so we headed into this week thinking we would wing it and perhaps some good luck would result in being able to say hello to the two of them. As recently as the weekend I was really annoyed with myself that I hadn’t made enough effort to try and secure a chance to meet them and wondered how things would turn out. Something told me it would still work out. Fortunately I know a few people who know other people that improved the odds somewhat when this week finally rolled around. I must thank Keith Jackson and the patience of his dear wife Rachel (Keith is pictured above last night with Mick and Paul) from The Glass Heroes for doing so much to help this week. Top Man Keith….you are a diamond. Also to Brandon for being so patient with me on the hunt for the boys.

In summary the last two days included gathering enough information to know just when the band arrived in Phoenix (Monday was an off day on the tour) and spending Monday evening playing paparazzi/private detective with my friend Brandon as we scouted around Phoenix seeing if we could bump into either Mick or Paul, it was a great night but ultimately not quite successful. Yesterday of course efforts continued to find out more preceding the concert,  a concert which exceeded expectations quite significantly. I know a few of you were sitting on the fence about getting tickets to see Gorillaz, now would be a good time for me to tell you make sure you get tickets – it really was a great concert. Then of course last night after the show all it took was some patience and being pushed in the back by the Clash Bloggette and it happened, I got to have a brief chat with both of them and it was quite simply worth the 30 year wait. Both seemed incredibly happy, were extremely polite and in no rush whatsoever to get on the tour bus after the concert until items were signed and people chatted with. I’d like to tell you that my role as Clash blogger meant that I was fully prepared, completely calm and was armed with a list of the most intriguing questions ever about The Clash. Sadly I managed to behave initially like an emotional teenager and then like somebody who couldn’t stop babbling, either way at least a snippet of conversation was held, and managed to shake each of their hands collect some signatures and thank them for everything….. whatever everything is…they were thanked for it.

So as a result I’m thinking about breaking this up into three separate posts, one about Monday evening and our operation to find Mick and Paul, a second post about the concert itself and the final post about actually meeting them and what that was like and what was said. I suppose I should do it chronologically but I’ll let you decide via the poll down below. I’ve got a lot to write and recount before I forget too much so I’ll get started on that and you can decide what comes first. It’s kind of hard to describe what it’s like to meet two men who comprised half of the band that you grew up on, a band that introduced me to so many different types of music whilst awakening me to political issues and ideas that I may have just ignored were it not for The Clash. I’ve said it before, they shaped who I am today to an extensive degree. Although the band effectively ended in 1983 the subsequent projects involving Joe, Mick and more recently Paul had always maintained my affection and interest. Also in the 1990′s I considered Blur to be arguably to the best band of that decade and the fact that Damon Albarn (who was brilliant last night) is responsible for Mick and Paul playing together again seems more than a coincidence to me. The music of the Clash has really book-ended my own love of music since 1979 so being face-to-face with the two of them after all these years was really something special. It was simply fantastic, and they were both more than courteous and very warm.

I’ll get writing if you can get voting. Tim

 Loading ...

Good evening you wonderful Clash people, hope your weekend had some good moments to tide you through the week that follows. I just got back from playing football (soccer if you insist) and a fine little dash around the field it was too, totally knackered now but good to get off my arse for a couple of hours. I’ve been scouring the net, well I glanced a while but need to continue  and still haven’t managed to find a Gorillaz interview in the press or archived via a radio station. Considering they were in two major media markets namely Toronto and New York I’m sure they must have had some sessions with the local media so I’ll keep looking. If you have seen anything let  me know and I’ll add it to the blog. Sorry this post was

Image courtesy Hitsville_UK_8 (check him/her on Flickr!)

deferred again, I started yesterday and only had a chance to get back to it this evening not keen on fragmented writing but I do feel a need to get a new post out every 24 hours if possible perhaps I should shorten ‘em up a bit?

Anyway, the point of my post was to link you to some more reviews/previews or associated bits about the ongoing Gorillaz North American tour. To make things easier for you the link are at the header of each and our tried and trusted MRS (Monkey Rating System) is in place allowing you to see the articles you really fancy the most.

The AVClub.com puts out a wordy and decent review of the concert at The Target Centre (oxymoron alert) in Minneapolis. Its well worth a read and points to the fact that despite the fact that the stage is a bit like a West End tube station at closing time (I know..old school) the choreography of everything from the guests to the constant video backdrop is essentially seamless. Not sure about Mick Jones ‘sneering at nobody in particular’ I mean honestly when was the last time you saw Mick Jones sneer? When he had to get his long hair cut at the start of 1979 I’m guessing. 3.0 Monkeys

The Chicagoist reviews the band in Chicago (clue was in the title) and whilst the summary is bit on the short side the accompanying photographs make the link worth a visit. Some really good crisp photos and your man on bass guitar sporting both extensive stubble and a leather jacket that looks like its been run over by the tour bus. The continued references to Damon leaping around the stage and making scissor kicks like its still the heyday of Blur makes me feel decidedly old and fragile, slow down Albarn – we’re the same age and you’re showing me up. 2.5 Monkeys

The writer of the VictorianHorror.com blog had a good time seeing them in Chicago too and got to meet up with Damon and much of the crew post show. Some pretty funny comments including the nightly ritual with the white flag and Mick along with Albarn instructing the owner that he’s waving it the wrong way. Nice to hear how pleasant Damon et al were nevertheless. 3.0 Monkeys

Twincities.com give a by the numbers type of review of the Minneapolis concert but its decent regardless. Kinda funny how they give Gorillaz kudos for longevity citing  ‘three albums over the last decade’ though in truth it is more like scarcity or abandonment. I’m intrigued to see whether the next thing Damon does is more Gorillaz work or something else entirely. I’d put a few bob on the latter outcome based on his career to date. 2.5 Monkeys

A great review from a pretty ropey newspaper, The Chicago Sun Times freelance writer Jeff Elbel (Hells Bells if you are not a cockney) then shocked me by writing one of the best reviews I’ve yet seen. Well researched and written with some shine he also gives more than a passing mention of our lads in addition to pointing out that Paul’s bass is actually integral to certain tracks. Based on the live clips I’ve seen that’s true and unlike Mick he’s not competing with two others playing the same instrument. Wasn’t it Ned’s Atomic Dustbin who had two bass players? I’m sure there are others that you’ll remind me about. I saw Ned’s back in Chicago and despite the excess amounts of hair on stage it stands out as a decent gig. I’ll have to dig out Are You Normal? later on. 3.5 Monkeys

Right, that should do for now. More soon and a Clash Cup and VideoClash on tap in the days ahead. Thanks for visiting, extra thanks for comments if you feel inclined. Tim

Good evening to you, I want to register a complaint about the return of 100f heat to this dusty city. Someone needs to remind whoever is in charge that it is the middle of October and this just isn’t acceptable. I just looked at my feed and there are a host of new articles concerning the .5C/G tour that I’ll need to do a monkey review rating for tonight but before we get to that a couple of other things. First of all don’t forget the Strummerville showcase tour is zipping its way around the UK at present tonight is Manchester (well its taking place as I write this) and there is still Newcastle and London to follow. Its a great chance to see some really good bands for less than the cost of a round of beers and proceeds of course help Strummerville out. To find out more please make sure you visit the link right here and if you managed to get to any of the gigs thus far please write in and share your thoughts. I’d like that!

Speaking of Strummerville I trust many of you found out about the Prince Blanco project last year that was produced for the cause…its an excellent CD (Shatter The Hotel – A Dub Inspired Tribute to Joe Strummer) which you can find out more about here and also download. Prince Blanco doesn’t rest on his laurels though and also plays with Rockers Galore, there’s a nice Clash element running through that as well, have a look at the video below:

Right then, as you’d expect the list of features about Mick and Paul playing in North America continues to grow so I thought I’d get some of those posted for your chance to review with our previously chosen monkey scoring method. As ever I’m more than happy to hear about your experience in seeing Gorillaz, how it felt to see the boys after so long and if you have any special stories that might be enjoyable. Any contributions are welcome 200-1,000 words as you see fit. Email, tweet me or use facebook to get in touch and I’ll get it added to the blog. So here’s what I’ve found…

Simonon in full Clash pose

WeLoveDC.com wrote an excellent summary of two shows (namely those in New Jersey and Virginia) and also included some rather tasty photographs to boot. Full credit to the author Michael Darpino for being a serious Clash fan, but more than that putting together a review that is an entertaining read and captures a good flavour of what sounded to be two more excellent concerts. Two extra interesting points, Michael was also able to see them at the Coachella Festival in the Spring so was in a position to compare how the live experience has evolved since then. He also noted as have many others that a 3rd guitarist is on stage for at least some songs and its worth noting as its none other than Simon Tong, your man from The Verve, very late period Blur and of course The Good, The Bad and The Queen. Perhaps we are more likely to hear ’80′s Life’ than some 80′s Clash before the tour is out? Don’t want to tempt fate but Tong tends to join bands when they are just about to end…..     great review though 4.0 Monkeys

Express Night Out wrote a nice review of the Patriot Centre concert. Not sure what city that is, Patriot, Liberty, Freedom Fighter arena they all run together to a certain extent for me. As for the review that recurring theme of how bloody happy everyone looks on stage keeps popping up….I never saw Paul as much of a smiler (onstage anyway) with The Clash so seeing him grinning a lot is a new concept. Hopefully its a reflection of the sheer joy of playing and what I’m sure makes for an interesting entourage on tour. I wonder if Paul finds the string section cute like I do? Clash bloke fans need something to look at too you know. 3.0 Monkeys

The Philadephia Inquirer pumps out a reasonable if slightly little pedestrian review in that ‘big paper’ way that I find so dull. A few facts, uncomplicated opinions and a little dig (at Blur’s US lack of success and Mark E Smith) but nothing that you probably don’t already know and a bloody stupid simian reference to Albarn. 2.0 Monkeys

The Oakland Press (suburban Detroit) actually does a preview and comes up with some proper writing. Two reasons that make this article worth a read, surely a writer like that deserves a happier fate that living within sniper rifle distance of Detroit? The preview is a curious piece looking at bands who along with Gorillaz blur the line (bollocks, my turn for a puerile pun) between being real bands and created consortia. Think The Monkees et al and you’ll see where the writer is going. It applies of course but its worth remembering that Damon refused a proper tour until they had enough material to support and a fleshed out live band to propel it. The escape from cartoons was right on cue, as recently as 2008 Albarn was evasive as to whether Gorillaz would proceed to a 3rd album and much of this touring lineup were very much a part of the recording process. Yes it’s dance rock but the new album has more songs than the first two that can be stripped down to bass guitar and drums which equates to a rehearsing band. Anyway…go and read that one. 3.5 Monkeys

That should keep you going. Thanks for dropping in tonight and to my dear friend who just moved flats…welcome home and best of luck!